Deputy Danny Healy Rae raised the matter with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar of the long delays with waiting times for driver theory tests which are at a standstill along with driver tests.
Deputy Healy Rae said that he wanted to draw attention to the fact that there are almost 3,000 learner drivers waiting for a driving test in Kerry alone.
“Apart from lorries and buses whose drivers can do the theory test on line why can’t this test be set up online for all vehicles ? – he asked.
Why the Delay?
“The government is supposedly been working with the Road Safety Authority to get the theory test online for over a year now – I ask why it is taking more than a year to get this off the ground?
“Traditionally farmers sons and daughters could do their theory test when they became 16 years of age, get their provisional license and drive a tractor to help out on the farm or get a job locally for the summer – this is not possible now.
Can’t Get on The Road
“Now, young drivers cannot do the theory test, cannot get their provisional license, and can’t get on the road. It is essential for everybody to have a license in rural Ireland.
“I am asking you Tánaiste to ask the testers to work on Saturdays and Sundays to deal with the back log and to ensure that the theory test can be applied for online for all learner drivers to get on the road,” Deputy Danny concluded.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on…Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.
